Becoming a good photographer sounds alot like becoming good at golf?

[Just Be]

You need to practice a lot and often.

Many can experience beginners luck and then struggle for years perfecting it.

Many buy the most expensive gear thinking that will make them better, and it doesn't.

Some have the cheapest hand-me-down gear and have success.

Feel inadequate being around others who have better gear.

Checking the weather to see if it's going to be a good day to go out.

Searching through magazines to find the latest and greatest techniques and gear.

Constantly feeling the need to buy something new.

Always searching for the perfect bag.

OK. I'll stop now...

Thank goodness we don't throw our cameras when we miss an important shot! :lol:

[blueM]

Hopefully, photographic skills do not diminish after 50.

On the plus side, I no longer feel the need for any new golf equipment other than golf balls.

[Mark_Cohran]

I'd better not take up golf then. I sure can't afford two hobbies like this.

[argyle]

I'm also a golfer, and it's like I tell my golfing buddies: "It ain't the arrow, it's the Indian". Meaning: Technique and skill will usually compensate for less than "stellar" gear.

[E-Dude]

Its easier to shoot your age with a camera.

[argyle]

And with digital, the mulligans are endless (unlike film).

[S.Horton]

..I think it takes less practice than golf.

;}

[JeffreyG]

I'd better not take up golf then. I sure can't afford two hobbies like this.

Amen to that.

[rw2]

I also play golf but find photography to the best of the two. A round of golf can last for a few hours, a photograph can last forever and be enjoyed by many!

[cdifoto]

I think photography is more like porn. The sexiest and best are usually the most successful, but they're all fads, and then there's always the anomaly like The Hedgehog (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Jeremy).

[FZ1dave]

Interesting comparison. Only two thoughts from me...

Hitting a golf ball straight is a helluva lot harder than pressing a shutter button.

Camera gear is a helluva lot more expensive than golf gear.

[JVolz]

Photography takes as little or as much time as I want.

Golf is 5 dragging hours on Saturday morning on your average course.

[WMWARD2]

Uh Oh! I only use a one iron and a five iron for golf.

[lauderdalems]

Golf is an excuse to get out of the house; photography is a desire to get out and bring back something that will last forever.

[argyle]

Golf is an excuse to get out of the house; photography is a desire to get out and bring back something that will last forever.

If you say so...

[Cybnew]

I think photography is more like porn. The sexiest and best are usually the most successful, but they're all fads, and then there's always the anomaly like The Hedgehog (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Jeremy).


So would Ansel Adams be a Ron Jeremy of photography?

*shudders*

[GORDO]

Pretty much.I took up golf 5 years ago.Summer time practice every day and take lessons religously.Go from shooting well over 100 to mid 80s this year.Try and use the same dedication and mental approach to photography as I do golf.Only 2 hobbies I have.

[EcoRick]

I'd say the comparisons are right on. I probably spend the same amount of money on both hobbies each year (too much). When we go to Barnes and Noble I go to the Photography and Golf section first. In my opinion, I do think equipment helps the golfer more. And I do think I'm getting better at both with age and practice.

[GilesGuthrie]

The one thing that they have in common for me is that when you start out at golf, you're happy to get the ball in the same county as the hole. When you start out in photography, you just care about the subject being in the frame.

As you get better at each, your tolerance for imperfection decreases. Each is an ever-decreasing circle of acceptability. And usually you're on the outside of that circle.

[Elphaba]

...who is the Tiger Woods of the photography world? :)

[Curtis N]

Feel inadequate being around others who have better gear.The only people who feel inadequate about their gear are those who use it as an excuse for poor performance (golf or photography).

You left out one thing...
There's no substitute for natural ability.

[chauncey]

Curtis, your "natural ability" comment was a great point.

It's one that I have made in the past when complaining about my having zero artistic ability. I'm always dumped on because "I'm not working hard enough". Well bull s..t. You can't turn Mickey Rooney into Michael Jordon.

[neil_r]

How do we implement a fair handicap system (I want to shoot pics off 28 )